Marriage For One by Ella Maise | Book Review + PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY

Jack and I, we did everything backward. The day he lured me into his office-which was also the first day we met-he proposed. You'd think a guy who looked like him-a bit cold maybe, but still striking and very unattainable-would only ask the love of his life to marry him, right? You'd think he must be madly in love.

Nope. It was me he asked. A complete stranger who had never even heard of him. A stranger who had been dumped by her fiancé only weeks before. You'd think I'd laugh in his face, call him insane-and a few other names-then walk away as quickly as possible. Well…I did all those things except the walking away part.

It took him only minutes to talk me into a business deal…erm, I mean marriage, and only days for us to officially tie the knot. Happiest day of my life. Magical. Pop the champagne… Not. It was the worst day. Jack Hawthorne was nothing like what I'd imagined for myself.

I blamed him for my lapse in judgment. I blamed his eyes, the ocean blue eyes that looked straight into mine unapologetically, and that frown on his face I had no idea I would become so fascinated with in time.

It wasn't long after he said I was the biggest mistake of his life that things started to change. No, he still didn't talk much, but anyone can string a few words together. His actions spoke the loudest to me. And day after day my heart started to get a mind of its own.

One second he was no one. The next he became everything.

One second he was unattainable. The next he seemed to be completely mine.

One second I thought we were in love. The next it was still nothing but a lie.

After all, I was Rose and he was Jack. We were doomed from the very beginning with those names. Did you expect anything else?

A slow burn romance that will have your toes curling for the unexpected, yet endearing love and passion that comes from Jack and Rose…

Let’s begin this review by simply stating that Ella Maise is a hidden treasure that needs to be expanding more and more, and be cherished in the romance world. She already is but she needs more attention that’s for sure because there is no denying that the true magic that flows from her words is something that is forever engraved in my heart and mind. Ella as an author has so much power in her words and characters make you fall in love with them through every aspect. Ella warned me that this book would not be my cup of tea because of the slow burn, and she was right about 35% through the novel. The rest of the novel however, Jack just became this rugged, yet emotionless expressive kind of character that made me want to keep on reading until Rose would finally be able to cram him. There is also no denying that this novel would not be a novel that I would actually go out of my way to reading or signing up for because of the slow burn. And because I am not never NOT honest in my reviews, the only reason why I truly enjoyed this masterpiece is because it was written by the sweetly minded, yet dirty thinker that is Ella. Though you also have to admit that the synopsis is one that hooked me in, and if you have not read it yet… GO AND READ IT RIGHT NOW!

Now, lets talk about the story shall we? Because I made way too many quoted highlights on my kindle that I don’t know what to share! Jack Hawthorne… Oh our dear Jack… He is just indescribable in the best of ways that’s for sure. The aura that oozes from him, the confidence, the determination, is what makes Jack Hawthorne the character that he is truly meant to be. When we read Rose’s pov, you sense that confidence in him. However, when reading his pov, you can also sense that silent tone of him being afraid of the truth revealing when it comes down to the relationship he has with Rose. But keeping the truth from her does not prevent him from being honest with her in other ways that as a reader, melts my heart;

“I want to be that person to you, rose. I want to be the person you lean on. You and I, we’re the same. We have no one but each other. You’ll lean on me and I’l do the same. We’ll learn how. we’re in this together…”

What can we say about Rose? There is something about her ambience that oozes that confidence that Jack has as well, yet she is this semi-timid individual who is also willing to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true. In this case, it is the fact that she wants to open up her coffee shop. With the help of Jack and their “fake” marriage, she slowly learns that anything is possible when you are determined to keep your head held high. That’s what I love about her, she is this strong young woman who was put in a situation she did not want to be granted in, yet finds a way to make herself stronger and not loose her true identity as a woman. But she also knows hat if she gets too close to Jack, there is no turning back at how broken she will be. Some risks are worth taking, and when she took that risk, denying the love she has for Jack is the one thing she cannot do;

“My husband was perfect. With all his arrogance and prickliness, Jack Hawthorne was perfect for me.
He wasn’t what I’d had in mind or even what I’d wanted for myself, but he was perfect and already mine, truly mine. There was no doubt of that in my mind…”

Overall, this story has truly taken my breath away with all the surprises I was able to find. All the hidden ways of writing that I was not expecting to read coming from Ella. Especially during the intimate scenes. I felt like I was slapped in the face when Jack and Rose finally hit did the deed, if you know what I mean… But overly surprised is an understatement that needs a praise from everyone. So make sure to grab yourself a copy of this beauty, and of course add it to your TBR because missing out on the story that is Jack Hawthorne is a sin itself.

About Ella Maise

“I love nothing more than to escape real life to find those very few magical moments in a book. I love how it has the power of stealing your worries away, putting a smile on your face even when smiling is the last thing on your mind. Crushing on fictional characters is also another bonus. Through my words, if I can manage to make even one person smile, it means I’ve done my job well.

Writing became my world and I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than creating new characters and telling their stories. You know how some things simply make your heart burst with happiness? A really good book, a puppy, hugging someone you’ve been missing like crazy? That’s what writing does to me. And all the hard work, all the sleepless nights, all the anxiety that comes with publishing…everything is worth it at the end.”

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